Bordeaux Legends

wines

This is an absolutely spectacular effort from Christian Moueix’s tiny jewel in Pomerol – Hosanna. An extraordinary nose of blue and black fruits, floral notes, licorice, and truffle soars from the glass of this dense purple wine. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine often has the most complex set of aromatics of any Pomerol. Velvety tannins, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and stunning finish give this full-bodied, extravagantly rich wine accessibility now, but it is certainly capable of lasting 25 or more years. Sadly, there are only 1,200 cases of this.Robert Parker | 98 RPThe 2005 Hosanna is a dense, potent wine. Huge tannins wrap around a core of inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol. The typical flamboyance of Hosanna is very much on display, but the tannins are equally potent. A few hours in the decanter brings out the wine’s creaminess and volume, both of which are considerable. The 2005 is an especially somber, brooding Hosanna. Readers can look forward to another 10-15 years of fine drinking.Antonio Galloni | 96 AGDark in color, with lots of blackberry, jam and dark chocolate aromas. Full-bodied and tight, yet powerful, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Like a tightly wound ball of silk thread. Best after 2014. 1,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSEverything is here in this great wine. The solid fruit flavors are of black berries and dried raisins, and there is a rich, powerful structure. Above all, it is finely balanced. It shows that a wine can be powerful without being high alcohol.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WE

Dark in color, almost purple black, with pure tapenade and hints of ripe plum and berry. Full-bodied, with layer upon layer of velvety tannins and chocolate, berry, vanilla and tea flavors. Lasts for minutes. I am blown away by this wine. This has been amazing since the moment I tasted it from barrel. Reminds me of the superb 1950. Best after 2015. 3,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 100 WSThe classicism in this L’Evangile has always seduced me with its subtle brown sugar, black olive, cedar, black truffle and dark fruit. Full body yet tight and extremely polished. Very layered and fine-grain textured. A perfect example of Pomerol. Always a perfect wine.James Suckling | 100 JS85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 70% new oak. A nearperfect growing season, and this approaches perfection as it glides across the palate, with sweet fig and torrefied notes, salted caramel and saline. Utterly gorgeous. Could be drunk with huge pleasure right now – with an amazing balance and feather-like expression that lifts the whole thing up – but there’s no rush. Drinking Window 2018 - 2038Decanter | 99 DECTasted single blind at Farr’s 2005 dinner in Hong Kong. I had forgotten what a wonderful Pomerol this is! Jean-Pascal Vazart has conjured a spellbinding wine that displays exceptional clarity on the nose with blackberry, kirsch, crushed violet and a touch of cassis. Underlying all this is a palpable sense of mineralite and focus. The palate is full-bodied with filigree tannins. Beautiful balance and so silky smooth towards the finish that it is easy to look over its structure and backbone. One of the finest wines from this estate in recent yearsRobert Parker Neal Martin | 97 RP-NMThe 2005 L’Évangile is showing beautifully today. Early signs of aromatic nuance and complexity have begun to appear, suggesting the 2005 is at an early plateau of maturity. Sweet dark cherry, chocolate, spice and licorice add darkness to this decidedly potent, virile wine. This is a fabulous bottle of the 2005, a wine that, in my experience, has been inconsistent. It’s a wine of its time, that much is very clear.Vinous Media Antonio Galloni | 96 VMUnder the ownership of Barons Rothschild (Lafite) since 1990, L’Evangile hit a new high in 2005. It has the spark of freshness at the heart of the best wines of the vintage, and it transforms that energy into layers of flavor, distinct yet seamlessly integrated. Focus on the parts and you’ll find floral scents of rose, or beeswax and honey, earthen layers of tannin that include a deep black mushroom richness, a powerful core of plum and plum skin flavor. The flavors last for a minute or longer; the structure makes this a vin de garde.Wine & Spirits | 96 W&SThe Pomerol estate of the Rothschilds of Lafite shows the power of Merlot in 2005, the almost indecent richness of the fruit. It’s an opulent, layered wine, spicy, woody and powered though by delicious fruit, ending open and generous.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE